A First Review Of The New Hyundai i20; Know About Looks, Tech Specs, Features Of Premium Hatchback

The new i20 from the Korean auto major Hyundai is bigger and in-fact looks much more premium when you first see it. Hatchbacks are thought of as small cars but the i20 has grown and is wider, lower and longer than the previous version. The extra length makes the car big and it does not look like a small car.

New Hyundai i20

Finally Hyundai has launched the new generation i20 in India and this time it is a huge change from the earlier i20. The previous Elite i20 was very well received and kick started the premium hatchback segment but for the new generation, Hyundai has thrown in a lot of features plus more engine options along with more technology.

The new i20 has become much more premium now with leaving room for the Nios below it. The new i20 is bigger and in-fact looks much more premium when you first see it. Hatchbacks are thought of as small cars but the i20 has grown and is wider, lower and longer than the previous version. The extra length makes the car big and it does not look like a small car.

It also looks bigger than most compact SUVs due to the width. It is also one of the nicest looking cars Hyundai has made with the big grille being carried off well with the headlamps and the wide stance as said before.

The black elements with the grille, roof, mirrors plus those 16inch alloys- all add a nice touch. The low and sleek look is there for the side too with the nice line running across and the way it is connected to the tail-lamps.

Speaking of which the uniquely shaped tail-lamps are cool while we also like the i20 branding in it! If there is anything we do not like then it has to be the chrome line at the rear or even the chrome on the door handle- else it is one of the more successful designs we have seen plus critically looking expensive.

If the exteriors are nice then the interiors would shock you cause Hyundai has made the interior more premium than some of its other cars! The interior of the i20 amongst its rivals looks the most premium but it even looks better than the Venue or the Verna! The  horizontal design pattern matches the air vents and that is classy but the massive 10.25 inch touchscreen is what makes the cabin.

It is huge and looks like a TV of sorts! The HD display and huge size is impressive we might add and the various sections are visible better plus even the rear camera view is better due to the size of the screen. Not only that you also have a digital display which is borrowed from the new Verna. Yes it is a bit tricky to read but it looks futuristic and more premium when rivals are sticking to old style dials for cost reasons.

The cabin itself is sporty with the turbo version having an all black interior with red accents. The buttons are nice in quality but that said we would have liked more soft touch materials on the dash. The feature list is again something you do not see on hatchbacks with wireless charging, air purifier, electric sunroof, Bose 7 speaker audio and connected tech where you get OTA map updates.

You can also pair multiple bluetooth devices plus more. It of course has the usual features like rear ac vents etc. A crucial point is space. We have said that both the Venue or the Verna lack rear seat space but the new i20 takes care of that. Due to the width and longer wheelbase, three can sit which means it is more spacious and comfortable than rivals plus also compact SUVs. Boot space though is average.

In terms of engines the new i20 gets a standard 1.2l petrol which makes 82 bhp with a manual and 86 bhp with a CVT auto. Then there is the 1.0 turbo petrol with the DCT automatic and a iMT. It also makes a full 120 bhp. However we would have liked a manual turbo option too. There is a diesel 1.5 as well with 100 bhp and is available with a 6-speed manual. Here is a look at the prices for the different variations of the all-new Hyundai i20

 We will drive the new i20 soon but on first look, this has been a well rounded effort by Hyundai to give the i20 a new premium push. It is surely way better in terms of features or engines or tech plus while you do pay for it, the new i20 actually makes more sense than some compact SUVs forget its rivals on our first look.